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Research indicates that consuming drinks that contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners may lead to a higher likelihood of developing a heart condition that increases the chances of experiencing a stroke.
A study of information collected from over 200,000 adults in the UK revealed that those who reported consuming two liters of low-calorie drinks per week, containing sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, or acesulfame, had a 20% greater chance of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat.
According to a study published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, individuals who consumed comparable quantities of beverages with added sugars (such as white sugar, sucrose, or syrup) had a 10% greater chance of developing AF.
Additionally, researchers found that drinking one litre of unadulterated juice each week, such as 100% orange or vegetable juice, was linked to an 8% decreased chance of developing atrial fibrillation.
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According to these results, it is advisable for individuals to decrease or refrain from consuming artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened drinks whenever feasible.
According to Dr. Ningjian Wang, the primary researcher of the study, stated:
According to lead researcher, Dr. Ningjian Wang from Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, our study’s results are inconclusive in determining whether one type of beverage carries a greater health risk compared to another. The complicated nature of our diets and the fact that some individuals consume multiple types of beverages prevent definitive conclusions.
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“According to this research, it is advised that individuals minimize or refrain from consuming artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened drinks, if feasible.”
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In the UK, the government advises that adults limit their daily sugar intake to 30g, which is about the same amount as seven sugar cubes.
In the research, the health information of 201,856 individuals in the UK Biobank was examined. This resource holds medical and lifestyle records for over 500,000 people.
Over the course of the 10 years of follow-up, there were a total of 9,362 instances of AF.
According to the researchers, individuals who drank sugar-free carbonated beverages or fruit concentrates with artificial sweeteners were typically women, younger, had a higher BMI, and had a higher chance of having type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that individuals who consumed sugary beverages tended to be male, younger, have a higher body mass index, a higher rate of heart disease, and a lower socioeconomic status.
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More research is required to confirm and fully comprehend the health effects of these drinks on conditions such as heart disease. As of now, it is safest to stick to water.
Researchers observed that individuals who smoked and consumed over two liters of sugary beverages per week had a 31% increased chance of developing AF, in contrast to individuals who had quit smoking or never smoked.
According to the researchers, milk, tea, and coffee were not categorized as sweetened beverages in the study because they are typically evaluated based on their unique nutritional profiles.
Dr. Wang noted that although the exact reasons for the connection between consuming sweetened drinks and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation are not fully understood, there are various potential explanations such as insulin resistance and the body’s reaction to different types of sweeteners.
According to Penny M Kris-Etherton, an emeritus professor in nutritional sciences at Penn State University and a member of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee, there is strong evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the negative health effects of artificial sweeteners remain less certain.
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Further investigation is required on these drinks to validate these results and gain a comprehensive understanding of their impact on heart disease and other health issues.
In the meantime, choosing water is still the best option. According to this research, it is best to limit or refrain from consuming drinks with no or low calorie sweeteners.
Victoria Taylor, a senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation, shared her thoughts on the research, stating that further studies are required to establish a conclusive connection between AF and the consumption of sugary beverages.
She stated, “It is widely known that consuming high amounts of sugar is associated with consuming high-calorie diets, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.”
As a result, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is heightened.
One of our main sources of sugar in our diets is sugary drinks, so reducing our consumption of them is a good place to start in order to lower our overall sugar intake.
According to Naveed Sattar, a professor at the University of Glasgow who specializes in metabolic medicine, the findings are intriguing. However, as the authors mention, more evidence is needed before concluding that consuming artificial sweetened beverages can directly lead to atrial fibrillation.
“Despite the authors’ attempts to account for multiple variables, it is possible that other behavioral factors related to drinking habits may have a greater impact on causing AF, rather than the drinks themselves.”
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